Raising Children In a Messed Up World

As parents, there are a lot of things we may worry about concerning our children. They are a gift from God. They are a precious treasure that God has entrusted into our care.

childrenclass

A typical school day at our home. Our children working on their lessons.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

– Psalms 127:3-5 KJV

We love them, invest our time in them, teach them…

They start growing up and we begin to look around. We start looking at the world from a parent’s eyes. Who will our children marry one day? What kind of homes are our children’s future spouses growing up in right now?

It’s hard to think that my future daughter-in-laws and sons-in-laws are alive right now and I won’t know anything about them for quite a few more years.

Oh… but those years are passing quickly!

I cannot know what my children will face in their future but I can prepare them now as they start to step out into this world of brokenness.

These are the things my husband and I will teach our children now, while we wait.

  1. How to find the answers in the Bible to the different situations they may face.
  2. How to resist temptations that will be thrown at them.
  3. How to pick the right person to marry.
  4. How to be committed to their spouse no matter the storms that may come.
  5. How to set a good example for their families.
  6. How to teach their children.
  7. How to say they are sorry when they make mistakes even to someone younger than themselves.
  8. How to treat someone that thinks differently from them.
  9. How to speak words of praise for other people’s strengths.
  10. How to gently encourage someone to grow through their weakness.

My children have all different personalities. I have the quiet ones and the talkative ones. Some of my children are full of energy and extroverted while others are silent and introverted. I teach them how to get along with one another despite their obvious differences.

One day they will most likely marry someone much different from themselves. Their spouse will most likely have a different background. They will face their own challenges. I cannot predict what those challenges will be because they will be starting their own families.

It is our job as their parents to prepare them in the best way possible. I am praying for my future children-in-laws that God protects them through whatever situation and temptation they may face.

I also pray that God gives me and my husband the wisdom to teach our children these things. It may seem like a terrible thing to bring children up in a cruel world. Then again this world be even worse if God’s children didn’t raise up more jewels to bring beauty in this world of pain and suffering.

Your children are gifts from God for you to love and cherish. Teach them right.

Many times children will marry someone just like their mother or father. Are you modeling the kind of marriage you want your children to have? Do you treat your spouse with the kind of mutual respect you want for their marriages?

What are some lessons you want to teach your children before they grow up? Please tell us about them in the comments.

This is Day 23 of 31 Days Building Commitment. Only 8 more days to go. In my next post I will be addressing children and what they need to do.

This series is based upon my book “Don’t Quit: Build a Legacy of Commitment” which you can download for free here.

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About Anastacia Maness

Anastacia Maness is a preacher's wife, homeschooling mother of 6 blessings, and writer. When she's not busy counting her blessings she's writing about them right here on her blog, encouraging and strengthening families.

8 Replies to “Raising Children In a Messed Up World”

  1. katinavaselopulos

    Like I have said before: Anastacia, you are a wise woman!

    Great post for all parents to read.

    I believe, I did teach my children most of the things you suggest…Yet we face two bad marriages. our children grew up in church, volunteered for many years of their lives, had great friends, never got in trouble, were not interesting in riches and designers clothes, they said yes to men who seemed gentle, good, caring and gave that back to them, they dreamed of having a great family and friends….but nothing worked. I bit myself with this, trying to finger out where we went wrong, and darn it, I cannot see it. I have to believe that any misfortune is helping grow and prepare for something better.

    Reply
    • Anastacia Maness Post author

      Ah. I’m sorry, Katina. Do not blame yourself for your children’s troubles. They are now grown and can find help if they seek for it. But that is up to them now. You should not beat yourself up over it. At this point all you can do is pray for them and be there for them when they call you. I’ll be praying that God gives you peace through this storm. I will also pray that God shows them the answers to their troubles and will that they will pull through stronger for it. Love you, Katina. Thanks for sharing.
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  2. katinavaselopulos

    Anastacia, this is a great post!

    I wrote a long reply, on my experience as a mother, and I lost it. It would not accept gravatar, and did not let me choose an alternative.

    I am too tired to begin all over again. I loved your suggestion and I am sharing with other young parents.

    Reply
  3. Shelley

    Beautifully and wisely written. I have two particular families who raised their children much like you do yours. We met when their children were in elementary school. The years have moved us apart, yet every once in a while, I get to recall the precious memories of their homes. I think your family would fit with them.
    Shelley recently posted…Can’t You Tell I’m Wearing Chanel?My Profile

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